Sheave block construction



Juhe 21, 1938.

B. s. MINOR SHEAVE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 2'7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l gnwcnko'o Ban 5 Minor June 21, 1938.

B. s. MINOR SHEAVE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1936 Z] wow Wye 60m 5. Minor Patented June 21, 1938 paired stares Parent ortics Application January 27, 1936, .Serial No. 60,989

14 Claims.

This invention relates to hoisting equipment used in connection with the drilling of wells and is an improvement of ,my invention N0.U. S. 1,570,271 entitled Sheave block issued January 19, r 1926. This type of equipment, especially under modern drilling practice, must be capable of hoisting extremely heavy loads at a high rate of speed, also the traveling block must be of sufficient weight so that when-it is rove with multiple cable lines, it will maintain sufficient tension on the line to withdraw it from the hoisting drum when the traveling block is lowered without a load attached and likewise properly spool the cable line on the drum when the traveling block is raised with no load attached. It is wellrecognized that when the cable line is smoothly and tightly wound upon the hoisting drum, the life of the cable line is greatly increased. V so The ever increasing depths to which wells ar being drilled, require that the cable line be likewise increased in diameter and be compounded with a greater number of reevings, also, the sheaves must be of the maximum practical di- 0 ameter to reduce bending stresses in "the cable lines. Likewise the increased loads required to be hoisted require bearings of a greater capacity and of anti-friction type.

The rate of speed at which the blocks can be operated also depends upon the time required I by the derrick man for attaching and detaching the drill pipe and casing as it is being'withdrawn or run in the well hole, which in turn is governed, to a degree, by theattention which must be given to the lateral swinging, of the traveling block to avoid colliding with the finger board or the pipe stacked behind the same.

With the types of blocks being used at present, if the number of sheaves be increased to traveling block becomes so wide across the face width of the sheaves that the space behind the finger board, and in which the drill pipe is stacked is so reduced that at times, when, the

in other corners of the derrick.

By reducing the width of traveling block, it

more nearly meet the present requirements the well hole is drilled to great depths, all of the' drill pipe cannot be stacked in the same corner, I requiring that part of the drill pipe be stacked ing more room in which to stand more stands of drill pipe. Little or no attention has to be given to the swinging of the traveling block.

It therefore becomes a primary object of this from the crown block sheaves to the traveling,

block sheaves to fair lead more correctly in line with the grooves of the sheaves, also the cable line leading from the crown block sheaves to the hoisting drum will fair lead'to a more central position on the drum thereby improving spooling of the cable line on the hoisting drum and consequently increasing the life of the line. In the sheave block construction shown in my former patent referred to hereinabove, I provide a design in which the bearing surfaces for the sheaves is substantially increased without increasing the overall face width of the sheave assembly. This is accomplished by arranging the sheaves in two vertically spaced groups and in staggered relation with each other, the sheaves being supported between plates and each sheave having gudgeon bearings in the two adjacent plates. In this type of construction the vertical distance between the axes of the two groups of sheaves is less than the radius of the individual sheaves and the face width of the sheave assembly is substantially equal to the combined cross sectional thicknesses or widths of the individual sheaves and plates. In the device contemplated by the present invention I propose to provide added bearing surfaces for, the sheaves by-arrang'ing them in staggered relation with each other and supporting them between spaced plates, but in addition to this my invention contemplates a novel construction and arrangement of the sheaves and plates, whereby the overall face width of the sheave assembly is substantially less than the combined cross sectional widths of the sheaves and plates. In one preferred form of my invention I provide a sheave assembly consisting of two vertically spaced groups of sheaves in which the overall face width of the sheave assembly is less than the combined cross sectional widths of the sheaves alone. In other words, this invention contemplates a sheave assembly consisting of two vertically spaced banks of sheaves in which the overall width of the entire sheave assembly is approximately equal to the overall width of the widest bank alone. My invention also contemplates the use of equal diameter sheaves throughout the entire assembly and the arrangement of such sheaves in a manner such that the lines or cables leading from the sheaves in one group will pass between the flanges of adjacent sheaves in the other group.

My invention also contemplates improved bearing means for supporting the sheaves in assemblies of the general character referred to above.

The details in the construction of certain preferred forms of my invention will be best understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which are chosen for illustrative purposes only and in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken in a plane represented by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan section taken in a plane repre sented by the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing the bottom sheave and bearing assembly in outside view and illustrating the manner in which the sheaves of one group are spaced apart to permit the lines or cables from the other group being rove therebetween;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken in a plane represented by the line 44 of Fig. 2 and illustrating one preferred form of sheave bearing construction contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation taken in a plane represented by the line B6 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation which may be considered as having been taken in a plane represented by the lines 1-4 of Fig. 6 and illustrates the details in the construction of another form of sheave bearing mounting.

More particularly describing the invention as herein illustrated, reference numeral ll indicates what I may term a frame which embodies two longitudinal main side plates l2 and I2 connected at their upper ends through the medium of a top cross member or pin l3 provided with spacers generally indicated by reference numeral [4, and at their lower ends through the medium of a bottom cross pin l 5 which is associated with spacing collars generally indicated by reference numeral I6.

It will be observed that I have chosen for the purpose of illustrating the invention herein a traveling block such as is used in oil well drilling practice in which event the top spacing members l4 constitute the lower loops in a strap assembly I8 whereby the traveling block assembly may be suspended from a system of lines or cables (not shown) and the bottom spacing members l6 constitute portions of a bottom strap assembly H! which is adapted to be connected through a yoke attachment 20 to an elevator hook or other suitable attaching means. In this connection, however, it is to be understood that the invention'contemplated herein is not many way limited to use in connection with a traveling block assembly since by slight modification in the frame construction the unit can be readily adapted for rigid support and use as a crown block in conjunction with a traveling block of the type shown herein.

In this form .of my invention the sheave assembly itself consists of two vertically spaced at their lower ends.

groups of sheaves indicated generally by reference numerals 22 and 23 which are supported on axle or bearing means indicated at 24 and 25. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the bottom group 22 consists of three sheaves 22a, 22b and 22c and the top group consists of two sheaves 23a and 231). It will be understood of course that the number of sheaves may be varied within relatively wide limits depending upon the maximum loads which the unit is designed to handle but in all events when following this form of the invention, the two groups of sheaves are arranged so that their peripheries at the adjacent edges are either adjacent to or slightly-spaced away from each other and the sheaves in the two groups are in horizontally staggered relation.

In order that the individual sheave members may have the bearing surface required for the great loads which they must carry, it is important that the sheaves be supported from plate members mounted in and forming part of the frame. Also, since I am employing sheaves of equal diameter throughout, it is important as pointed out above, that the individual sheaves in one group be arranged in horizontally staggered relation with the individual sheaves of the other group so that the lines or cables may pass from the sheaves in one group between adjacent sheaves in the other group and since this invention contemplates a sheave construction of minimum face width, the present embodiment of my invention is designed so that the flanges of the sheaves in one group overlap the flanges of two adjacent sheaves in the other group. Inother words, it will be observed from Fig. 1 that the flanges on the sheave 23a, for example, both overlie or overlap the inside flanges f sheaves 22a and 22b in the lower group 22 and as will be observed from Fig. 3 the space between the adjacent sheaves is just sufficient to permit a cable as indicated at C being passed therebetween.

For the purpose of obtaining the various features enumerated above, with a sheave assembly of minimum length, I provide supporting means for the upper group of sheaves 23 which are shown as comprising a plurality of sheave supporting plates 26a, 26b and 260, such plates being suspended from the top cross support l3 and extending downwardly adjacent the sheaves in group 23, terminating at the intermediate portion of the frame. These plates 28, etc. are shown as being triangular in shape but may assume any desired shape so long as their transverse diameters are less than the diameter of the sheaves to permit free action of the lines or cables.

The lower ends of these plates are provided with openings 28 and 28' which receive intermediate cross supports or pins 29 and 29, such pins being mounted on the main face plates l2 and I2 and constituting a part of the frame. This group of top supporting plates 26a. etc., are individually provided with medial openings 30 through which the bearing means 25 extend. The details in the construction of the bearing means will be described later in the specification but sufiice it to say at this time that it consists of a main cross pin 3| having its ends secured in the side plates I2 and i2 and individual roller bearing assemblies 32 which support the respective sheaves.

Associated with the bottom group of sheaves 22 are bottom supporting plates 33a and 33b which are mounted on the pins 29 and 29' at their upper ends and are secured in the cross pin l These plates 33a and 33b the bottom group of sheaves extends.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the individual plates in each group are opposite the individual sheaves in. the other group, also that the cross sectional width of these plates is less than the cross sectional width of the sheaves sothat the flanges of the sheaves in the one group overlap the flanges of the sheaves of the other group and the overall face Width of the complete sheave assembly is thereby substantially less than the combined widths of the individual sheaves and consequently is much lessthan the combined widths of the individual sheaves and plates.

Although various types of bearing mountings may be employed for supporting the sheaves in a construction of the type described above, I have shown in Fig.4 a preferred form of bearing construction in which it will be observed that the cross pin 3! is secured between the. two main face plates l2 and i2 through the medium of bushing members 35 and 35' threaded on opposite ends of the pin and locked in place by means of dowel screws 36. Spacing rings 38 and 38' are shown as being interposed between the main face plates and the outer sheave supporting plates 26a and 28o. The roller bearing mountings 32 are shown as comprising outer race members 40 mounted in and locked with the sheaves in any suitable manner. inner race members ll which are sweate-cl or otherwise rigidly secured on the pin 3i and rollers 42 interposed therebetw-een and held in place in any conventional manner such as by means of retaining rings d3. For the purpose of lubricating the bearings I show the pin 3! as being provided with ducts Ml, the outer ends of which are equipped with grease gun connections indicated at 45. l i v It will be observed from Fig. 2 that the transverse width of the main plates l2 and i2 is slightly greater than the diameters of the sheaves '22 and 23 and forthe purpose of giving added rigidity to the frame and also protecting the sheave assembly, I show the space between the side edges of these main plates as being equipped with cover plates 48: and 18 which are secured to the main plates in any suitable manner such as by means of overlapping ears and set screws 49. As was pointed out above in connection with the description of Fig. 2, both the top and bottom sheave supporting plates are mounted on the pins 29 and Z9 and with this construction in order to obtain a unit of minimum length, in other words, to bring the sheaves into close proximity with each. other, it is an important feature that the inner edge of each plate be formed in concave relation with the oppositely disposed sheave memher which, has been indicated above, is in the. same plane with the plate. in question. In other words, the inner edges of the plates in groups 26a etc. and 330. etc. are curved as indicated at 5!] and 50'.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 I obtain a further decrease in overall length of the unit with a slight sacrifice innarrowness of the sheave assembly. This sheave block construction embodies a frame structure which is the same in its essential elements as the frame construction described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 in that it embodies main face plates 60 and 6B and top and bottom cross members or cross pins ii! and 6| respectively, such frame being associated with the usual suspending or rigid supporting means discussed in a general way above.

The chief distinction between this form of my invention and that described in connection with 'Figs. 1 and 2 resides in the fact that the plate members 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, and 62e extend throughout the full length of the frame having their opposite ends supported by the pins iii and BI.

The sheaves in this form of my invention are arranged in two groups vertically spaced from each other as indicated by reference numerals M and E5. The individual sheaves in these two groups are arranged in horizontally staggered relation with each other and are of substantially equal diameter throughout, like the sheaves described in connection with Figs. land 2.

In order to obtain a decreased overall length of the unit, the axle means 66 and 6 which support the two sheaves groups are spaced apart from each other at a distince only slightly greater than the radial distance from the axle to the periphery of the sheave group. In this way the two groups of sheaves extend past each other in vertical planes so that a portion of one group lies between a corresponding portion of the sheaves in the other group.

It will be observed from Fig., 5 thatthe individual sheaves are provided with flange members which are of greater cross sectional width than the spokes or webs of the sheaves. and I take advantage of this fact and the structural feature just pointed out above, to provide a unit which includes sheave supporting plates between the sheaves of the two vertically spaced groups and which at the same time givesa sheave assembly having an overall face width substantially equal to the combined cross sectional widths of the sheave flanges and substantially less than the combined cross sectional width of the sheave flanges and the plates. This feature of construc-- tion is obtained by forming the plates 552a etc.

sheave 852). It will be observed that this plate is provided with a dished portion iii which extends inwardly from the region adjacent the flange of the sheave Mb toward the center of such sheave and it is also provided with a second dished portion H which extends in the opposite direction being disposed inwardly from the flange of the sheave 65b toward the center of the latter sheave; In order that the flanges of these two sheaves bib and b may be brought into substantial contact with each other, I provide the plates (Me, for example) with openings i i and l4 (see Fig. 6) which are situated in the region where the flanges of the two sheaves cross. In this way, I am able to obtain a sheave assembly consisting of two vertically disposed and horizontally staggered groups of sheaves provided with sheave supporting plates between the individual sheaves of the two groups in which the thickness of the plates. may be entirely eliminated in the overall face width of the sheave assembly.

In thisconstruction like that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, various types of bearing structures may be used in supporting the sheave members and in Fig. 7 I have shown one preferred form of such construction in which reference numeral an indicates a retaining pin to which a pluralityof bearing collars 8| and 82 are rigidly secured. These bearing collars are provided with fixed flanges 83 and 84 against which the hub portions 85 of the sheaves are adapted to fit and to be held in rigid engagement in any suitable manner such as by means of washers 86 and rivets 81. The bearing members 8| and 82 are supported by roller bearings 88 and 89. The roller bearings 88 are contained in a bearing cup 9!! which is welded or otherwise secured in an opening 9| formed in the main face plate 60' and the bearings 89 are contained in journal boxes 93 which in turn have their opposite ends mounted in openings 94 formed in adjacent plate members. These bearings may be lubricated through the use of suitable passages 96 formed in the shaft or spindle 8E! and equipped with grease gun connections (not shown).

It is to be understood that while I have herein described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of my invention and have illustrated the same as being applied to a traveling block, that the invention is not limited to the precise structural details nor to the precise application described above, but includes within its scope whatever changes or modifications fairly come within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sheave block construction embodying: a frame; vertically spaced sheave supporting means in said frame; two groups of equal diameter sheaves mounted on said sheave supporting means; and plate means. interposed between the successive sheaves in said groups and cooperating with said frame to support said sheave supporting means, the sheaves. in said upper group being spaced in horizontally staggered relation with the sheaves in said lower group, and the complete sheave assembly comprised of the plates and sheaves of both groups being arranged so that its overall width is less than the combined thickness of the individual plates and sheaves therein.

2. A sheave block construction embodying: a frame; vertically spaced sheave supporting means in said frame; and two groups of equal diameter sheaves mounted on said sheave supporting means, the sheaves in said upper group being mounted in horizontally staggered relation with the sheaves in said lower group, and the complete sheave assembly being arranged so that its overall width is less than the combined widths of the individual sheaves therein.

3. A sheave block construction embodying: a frame; vertically spaced sheave supporting means in said frame; two groups of equal diameter sheaves mounted on said sheave supporting means; and plate means interposed between the successive sheaves in said groups and cooperating with said frame to support said sheave supporting means, the sheaves in said upper group being spaced in horizontally staggered relation with the sheaves in said lower group whereby lines from the sheaves in one group may be rove between the sheaves of the other group and the complete sheave assembly comprised of said sheaves and plates being arranged so that its overall width is less than the combined thickness of the individual plates and sheaves therein.

4. A sheave block construction embodying: a frame; vertically spaced sheave supporting means in said frame; and two groups of equal diameter sheaves mounted on said sheave supporting means, the sheaves in said upper group being mounted in horizontally staggered relation with the sheaves in said lower group whereby lines from the sheaves in one group may be rove between the sheaves of the other group and the complete bank of sheaves being arranged so that its overall width is less than the combined widths of the individual sheaves therein.

5. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame; a cross support in the top of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced plate members suspended from said top cross support and extending down to the intermediate portion of said frame; a pair of intermediate cross supports extending through spaced points in the bottom of said top group of plate members; a group of bottom plate members mounted on said intermediate cross support between the successive top plate members; top sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said top plates; bottom sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said bottom plates; and sheaves mounted on said top and bottom bearing means between top and bottom plates.

6. In a sheave block construction the combination of: a frame; a cross support in the top of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced plate members suspended from said top cross support and extending down to the intermediate portion of said frame; a pair of intermediate cross supports extending through spaced points in the bottom of said top group of plate members; a

group of bottom plate members mounted on said intermediate cross support between the successive top plate members; top sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said top plates; bottom sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said bottom plates; and sheaves mounted on said top and bottom means between the successive top and bottom plates, said sheaves and plates being so arranged that the sheaves of one group and the plates of the other group lie in the same vertical planes.

'7. In a sheave block construction the combination of: a frame; a cross support in the top of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced plate members suspended from said top cross support and extending down to the intermediate portion of said frame; a pair of intermediate cross supports extending through spaced points in the bottom of said top group of plate members; a group of bottom plate members mounted in said intermediate cross support between the successive top plate members; top sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said top plates; bottom sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said bottom plates; and sheaves mounted on said top and bottom bearing means between the successive top and bottom plates, said sheaves and plates being so arranged that the sheaves in one group and the plates in the other group lie in the same vertical planes and the inner edges of the plates in each group being formed in concave relation with the peripheries of the corresponding sheaves in the other group.

8. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame; a cross support in the top of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced plate members suspended from said top cross support and extending down to the intermediate portion of said frame; an intermediate plate support extending through the bottom of said top group of plate members; a group of bottom plate members mounted on said intermediate support between the successive top plates and extending downwardly therefrom; top and bottom sheave bearing means extending through the medial portions of said top and bottom groups of plates; and sheaves mounted on said top and bottom bearing means between the successive top and bottom plates.

9. In a sheave block construction, the combination of a frame; a group of horizontally spaced top plate members mounted in the upper end of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced bottom plate members mounted in said frame below and between the respective top plates; means interlocking the adjacent end portions of the respective top and bottom plates; and sheaves mounted between the respective plates of said top and bottom groups.

10. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame, a group of horizontally spaced top plate members mounted in the upper end of said frame; a group of horizontally spaced bottom plate members mounted in said frame below and between the respective top plates; and sheaves mounted between the respective plates of said top and bottom groups, the sheaves of one group being positioned in the same plane and in vertically spaced relation with the plates of the other group and said plates being of less width than said sheaves whereby the sheaves in one group are caused to horizontally overlap the sheaves in the other group.

11. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame; a plurality of horizontally spaced plates mounted in said frame; and a plurality of equal diameter sheaves rotatably mounted between said plates in staggered relation thereby forming two vertically spaced groups, the axis of each group being outside of and adjacent the periphery of the other group, each plate member being dished in opposite directions toward the centers of the top and bottom sheaves between which it is situated.

12. In a sheave block construction the combination of a frame; a plurality of horizontally spaced plates mounted in said frame; and a plurality of equal diameter sheaves rotatably mounted between said plates in staggered relation thereby forming two vertically spaced groups, the axis of each group being outside of and adjacent the periphery of the other group, so that the peripheries of the two groups overlap, each plate member being dished in opposite directions toward the centers of the top and bottom sheaves between which it is situated and said plates being provided with openings in the regions where the projected peripheries of the adjacent sheaves intersect. a

13. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame; a group of horizontally spaced plates mounted in said frame; sheaves mounted between the plates to form two vertically spaced groups, the sheaves of one group being horizontally staggered with relation to the sheaves of the other group, said plates being horizontally offset in pairs adjacent the respective sheaves in each group.

14. In a sheave block construction, the combination of: a frame; a group of horizontally spaced plates mounted in said frame; sheaves mounted between the plates to form two vertically spaced groups, the sheaves of one group overlapping and being horizontally staggered with relation to those of the other group, said plates being horizontally offset in pairs adjacent the respective sheaves in each group.

BURT S. MINOR. 

